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The Path Forward on Abortion Resource Guide
Here are some resources and actions to protect and advance abortion access, including assistance for people seeking abortions and the organizations that provide that healthcare.
Southwest
Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Western Tennessee
Welcome to WRJ Southwest District!
Message from Southwest District President, Phyllis Strasberg
Welcome to the Southwest District of Women of Reform Judaism. As one of the seven districts of the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), we are so glad you have found us – whether you are an individual member, leader or member of a WRJ-affiliated Sisterhood/Women’s Group, a WRJ leader, or someone who just shares our mission. We hope that you will find the information and resources available on this site helpful and look forward to connecting with you – sooner rather than later!
As you take the time to explore both our website and WRJ’s website, you will find:
- Information on many programs and events hosted by a variety of WRJ groups that promote the 3 S’s – Sisterhood, Spirituality and Social Justice. There are also great opportunities for leadership and personal development.
- Tools and resources to help you in your leadership role.
- Access to district leaders who are here to support you as advisors, consultants, teachers, and program speakers! Our Executive Committee members, Committee Chairs, Board Alumnae, as well as the WRJ staff are available to help you in any way we can. And if we are not the right one to help you, we will find someone who is. Do you know about our Speaker’s Bureau program? Additional information can be found here.
- Opportunities to share and network with other WRJ members throughout the Southwest.
- The ability to financially contribute to WRJ and WRJ Southwest here.
I would love to hear from you!!! Please let WRJ Southwest know your ideas and suggestions on how to make this website more user-friendly, how to more fully engage our members and of course, one of my favorites - how to have more fun by dropping us a line here.
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Phyllis Strasberg
WRJ Southwest President
Questions? We've got the answers on our FAQ page, or feel free to Contact Us!
Support Southwest District and our philanthropic efforts
Southwest District strives to further the mission of Women of Reform Judaism: WRJ strengthens the voice of women worldwide and empowers them to create caring communities, nurture congregations, cultivate personal and spiritual growth, and advocate for and promote progressive Jewish values.
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Attention Sisterhood/Women's Group Presidents
Upcoming Change in Leadership?
Don't forget to fill out WRJ's Sisterhood Leadership Change form if you have new 2020-2021 leadership at your Sisterhood/Women's Group. This way your new leadership can also receive WRJ news, events, tools, and more!
Planning a YES Fund event?
Click here to find helpful resources such as:
- YES Fund Video
- YES Fund Distribution Sheet
- YES Fund Brochure
- YES Fund Pledge Card
- Yes Fund Toolkit
We want to showcase your sisterhood!
The Southwest District would love to showcase past and/or future programs presented or sponsored by your sisterhood. Please send a short summary with a photo or two to my email below. Please consider adding me to your sisterhood or Temple email list and/or share with me your Facebook page so that I can look for interesting things to post each month.
Rachelle Weiss Crane
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
rachelleweiss01@gmail.com
Southwest Schmooze
Our monthly newsletter, The Southwest Schmooze, highlights important dates, upcoming events and news around the Southwest District!
Yammer: Helpful Hints
Searching for a new, innovative program to support the YES Fund? Are you looking for examples of alternative leadership structures for your sisterhood? Do you have an ingenious new matzah ball recipe that you are dying to share? You can ask these questions, find solutions, and share your own insights through WRJ's networking platform: Yammer.
Yammer is a Microsoft-based social platform that allows members to post and share ideas and files with each other, creating connections and collaborations with our women around the world. WRJ women are in rich conversation on this platform every day. Getting involved can give you and your sisterhood fresh ideas and answers from others who share your challenges. It also provides an exciting way to celebrate your successes.
To build on this resource, click here for are some advanced-level tips to use our platform in the best way to benefit you
If you aren't already on Yammer, email leadership@wrj.org to request that you and your sisters be invited to the WRJ Yammer network (including our Southwest District group). Be sure to include your name, sisterhood, and position (if any).
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Blog Posts
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We Are, We Are, We Are, WRJ
In October 2022, 88 of us traveled from across North America to Atlanta to join other sisters on the WRJ Civil Rights Journey. Armed with articles, movies, books, and memories about the fight for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s, we visited historical landmarks in Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham. We found what we knew intellectually was no match for walking in the footsteps of those who were there and have continued to advocate and advance racial equality. As we kick off WRJ’s end-of-year campaign, we reflect on the impact of this trip and the work still to be done.
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Why WRJ? My Leadership Journey
My journey with Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) began in 1999 in Chicago, Illinois. The sisterhood at my congregation had been floundering and then disbanded. The senior rabbi asked me to help re-establish the women’s group. I was honored, excited, and frightened all at the same time. I grew up in a
Sisterhoods are dedicated to a wide variety of religious, educational, social, philanthropic, and advocacy efforts. They are also an outlet for Reform Jewish women and an integral part of any congregation. Find a sisterhood in your area today!